A large stone chimney stands tall marking the spot where the little logging town of Bell once stood. The remains of the town can be found in the Besser Natural Area north of Alpena near Presque Isle. A mile-long hiking trail loops through the area. You can see the remnants of the town along the trail. Besides the chimney, there are a few walls of an old general store and a broken safe lying nearby.
The village grew around the Presque Isle Brick and Lumber Company. The post office opened in 1884 in what I assume was the general store that you find in pieces today. The post office closed in 1911. Eventually, the townspeople moved away and local concrete magnate Jesse Besser purchased the land. He donated it to the state, and it is now the Besser Natural Area open to the public. If you visit be sure to take some bug spray. when I hiked the trail in the spring the mosquitoes were so thick they could have carried me away.
A cemetery for the former village is nearby but I could not find it. if you know where it is please post in the comments, I would greatly appreciate it so I can find it on my next visit.
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